Need help with ID

[Kent in AL]

Hi folks!

A friend found this lighter in an old house last week. It's too big to be a pocket lighter but seems too unstable to be a table lighter (too skinny, would get tipped over easily). It's brass with a silver inset in the bottom with a picture similar to the liberty head on a Mercury dime and says "Ministere des Finance". It's 4" x 3" x 1". My guess is it was picked up as a souvenir in France during WWII. My friend is interested in it's value. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Kent

 

[Colorado2]

Man that's a honkin' lighter! Remember what would happen to your leg if you overfilled a Zipo? I wouldn't carry that one in my pocket... ~CO2

 

[slow sweeper]

Pretty fancy lighter. Just a guess but a fancy lighter such as that one might be part of some kind of smoking set. Like an ash tray, place for your smokes, drink holder and a holder for your lighter. So it wouldn't tip over.

 

[Kent in AL]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Yep Colorado, if this thing blew up in your pocket you would be missing some vital parts.

Good idea Sweeper. That makes a lot of sense.

Kent

 

[Colorado2]

Hey Kent...In case you haven't picked this up yet, Buckram is the "go to" guy, "oddities expert" and all around research guru. The lighter on the link he gave you in the upper left corner looks like it has a pedestal that gives it more stability. Maybe yours is missing a similar stand?

 

[downindixie]

It looks like a world war one lighter. check out ebay.

 

[allen]

that is a really cool find . hope you get the information you need .

 

[JARMAN]

Nice lighter find, good luck on your search.HH

 

[lonewolfe]

Excellent find there!

I agree with DowinDixie,

it looks older than WWII era - I'd say 1910s from the looks of it.

If it still works, it's worth a few bucks for sure!

HH

Lonewolfe